Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Becoming a Military or VA Chaplain

Process Common to All Applicants

If you are a Priest desiring to serve as a chaplain, you should first discuss the matter privately and prayerfully with your spiritual father. Before doing anything else, you must discuss the matter with your hierarch and obtain his blessing to proceed. If your hierarch gives his blessing, you should next contact one of the following agencies and indicate your desire to serve as an Orthodox military chaplain. Army Chaplain Recruiting Navy Chaplain Recruiting Air Force Chaplain Recruiting Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Recruiting Veterans Administration Chaplain Recruiting

General Requirements for Military or Veterans Administration Chaplains

Active Duty Military Chaplains

• Blessing from your hierarch.
• Undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution.
• Master of Divinity/Theology degree from an American Theological School (ATS) accredited seminary or school of theology (e.g., Holy Cross, Saint Vladimir's, Saint Tikhon's).
• Ordination as an Orthodox priest.
• Minimum of two years pastoral ministry with experience in conducting the services of the church, including baptisms, weddings, funerals, and grief counseling.
• Willingness to facilitate and coordinate programs for individuals of all religious faiths without discrimination.
• Citizen of the United States.
• Below the age limit for the specific branch of service; age waivers may be possible.
• Pass Armed Forces physical requirements and medical examination; chaplains are military officers and are subject to the same physical requirements as any other member of their branch of service.
• Receive favorable National Agency Check, including background and credit check.
• Receive Ecclesiastical Endorsement (DD Form 2088) from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agent identified by the Undersecretary of Defense, the Reverend Luke Uhl.

Reserve and National Guard Chaplains

• Same as for Active Duty Military Chaplains.

Chaplain Candidate Programs

• Blessing from your hierarch.
• Undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution.
• Be a full-time graduate student at an American Theological School (ATS) accredited institution (e.g., Holy Cross, Saint Vladimir's, Saint Tikhon's).
• Willingness to facilitate and coordinate programs for individuals of all religious faiths without discrimination.
• Citizen of the United States.
• Below the age limit for the specific branch of service; age waivers may be possible.
• Pass Armed Forces physical requirements and medical examination; chaplains are military officers and are subject to the same physical requirements as any other member of their branch of service.
• Receive favorable National Agency Check, including background and credit check.
• Receive Ecclesiastical Endorsement (DD Form 2088) from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agent identified by the Undersecretary of Defense, the Reverend Luke Uhl.

Veterans Administration Chaplains

• Blessing from your hierarch.
• Undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution.
• Master of Divinity/Theology degree from an American Theological School (ATS) accredited seminary or school of theology (e.g., Holy Cross, Saint Vladimir's, Saint Tikhon's).
• Ordination as an Orthodox priest.
• Minimum of two years pastoral ministry with experience in conducting the services of the church, including baptisms, weddings, funerals, and grief counseling.
• Two units (800 hours) of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).
• Willingness to facilitate and coordinate programs for individuals of all religious faiths without discrimination.
• Be a Citizen of the United States.
• Receive Ecclesiastical Endorsement for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy from the Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agent, the Reverend Luke Uhl.

Civil Air Patrol and State Militia Chaplains

• Blessing from your hierarch.
• Undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution.
• Master of Divinity/Theology degree from an American Theological School (ATS) accredited seminary or school of theology (e.g., Holy Cross, Saint Vladimir's, Saint Tikhon's).
• Ordination as an Orthodox priest.
• Assigned to full-time parish ministry.
• Willingness to facilitate and coordinate programs for individuals of all religious faiths without discrimination.
• Be a Citizen of the United States.
• Receive Ecclesiastical Endorsement (DD Form 2088) from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agent identified by the Undersecretary of Defense, the Reverend Luke Uhl.

Ecclesiastical Endorsement

An Ecclesiastical Endorsement is required by the Department of Defense for Military chaplains, and by the Department of Veteran Affairs for Veterans Administration chaplains. Specifically an Ecclesiastical Endorsement is a certification by an agent of a specific religious body that an individual is permitted to minister in the name of that Church or denomination. The Undersecretary of the Department of Defense maintains a list of Ecclesiastical Endorsing agents for the many religious bodies and organizations in the United States. One individual per body or organization is designated by the Department of Defense as the Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agent. The Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agent for SCOBA and for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is the Reverend Luke Uhl. He may be contacted at: Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver 4550 East Alameda Avenue Denver, CO 80246-1208 Phone: 303-333-7794 FAX: 303-333-7796 e-mail: chancellor@denver.goarch.org Statement of Ecclesiastical Endorsement, DD Form 2088, for Military Chaplaincy The Endorsing Agent from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese identified by the Undersecretary of Defense, the Reverend Luke Uhl, is required to submit DD Form 2088 for all clergy desiring to apply for a commission as an officer to serve as a chaplain in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. Without a DD Form 2088 an application package will NOT be sent by your recruiter to the respective selection/qualification board. Requests for a DD Form 2088 must be made by the Priest desiring to become a chaplain. In addition, Father Uhl WILL NOT submit the DD Form 2088 unless he receives a letter from your hierarch stating that you have his blessing to apply for a commission as a military chaplain. Ecclesiastical Endorsement for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy The Department of Veterans Affairs likewise requires an Ecclesiastical Endorsement for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy. The same requirements as above pertain: Father Uhl must first receive a letter from your hierarch stating that you have his blessing to apply for employment as a VA chaplain.